Video Cards for Laptops

Greetings all,

I'm a new member, thought I'd post a question and dive right in to gather a few opinions. I'm intending on purchasing a new laptop early in 2007. I'd like to buy while I still can get Windows XP preinstalled. I don't want to be forced into Windows Vista just yet.

My dilemma is this...Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950 vs. ATI or NVIDIA mobile video?

Gaming is not a huge priority for this machine, but all the same I don't want the door closed completely. I have quite a few older games (Homeworld 2, X-Wing Alliance, Warcraft III, etc.) that I might like to play. I don't really care that much about the newer stuff that's come out just recently (Battlefield 2142, etc.). I'm thinking that from this point of view the Intel solution would be ok.

The main priority for this laptop is to enable me to run a piece of fire modelling software called FDS (Fire Dynamics Simulator). FDS comes with a companion visualization program called Smokeview. Smokeview does require a certain amount of 3D graphics horsepower depending on the complexity of the problem.

Is the Intel GMA 950 up to the task? This is the key question I have right now.

Any opinions would be appreciated.

Thanks!

jdmitchell

 

Read this, it should answer your question.
The Mobile Graphics Card Info Page

 

I am not familiar with the software you will be running, however I would not chance it and go with a notebook with a dedicated graphics card. If you’re looking for notebook suggestions, you should fill out the FAQ.

 

Intel GMA 950 is not designed for any 3D applications.

Look at the links in my signature for more information.

 

Welcome to the forums. While there is a chance that the Intel GMA 950 could run your application, I would recommend at least a basic dedicated GPU for what you've mentioned so far. It would also give you a little more flexibility on future gaming so it would serve a double purpose.

I'm going to relocate this thread to the Hardware Forum where you will get more input.

 

I would suggest that you aim for an NVIDIA card of some sort. Even a 6150 would be better than the Intel stuff, because I have the feeling that the Smokeview application will use either DirectX or OpenGL, and NVIDIA is the only company that reliably supports OpenGL in non-workstation cards. If you're doing particle simulation, make sure you get as fast of a processor and as much RAM as you can afford... it'll be worth it. No slower than a T7200.

 

For the games you listed, Homeworld 2, X-Wing Alliance, Warcraft III, they will work just with the GMA 950 but for the other software, I'd recommend to definately get a better video card.